Method of making ink records



Patented Sept. 4, 1934 PAT -Nn m;

METH D OF MAKING INK. rmcorms Elsie M. Price, Swampscott, Mass.

No Drawing. Application February 6, 1933,

Serial No. 655,539 3 5 Claims. (Cl. 91 67.95)

This invention relates to a methodfor making records on paper, and particularly such-paper as is ordinarily used in strips on recording instruments commercially known and'used in the recording of 'volts, amperes, temperatures, pressures, etc.

It will beunderstood by those versed in the art to which this invention relatesthat such records have heretofore been made with ink, largely through the medium of"commercially known recording instruments. In some cases such records have heretofore been made on smoked paper or by scribing on a waxed surface. It is in some instances, however, highly desirable that the rec- 0rd be made in ink for reasons of legibility, permanence, convenience, and economy, but the ordinary inking system has many undesirable fea-' turespand it is the purpose of this invention to eliminate and avoid such undesirable features. It will be further understood that in using ink forsirchrecords, the ink is supplied to the instrument from anink well of large volume and applied to the moving paper strip by means of a small siphon tube. The arrangement is well 25 known as applied to most standard instruments and need not be herein described. Experience has demonstrated that perfect results with such application requires frequent attendance to the ink applying mechanism in order to'clear the clogged pen tubes and to otherwise maintain a perfect functioning. It is seldom that such recording mechanism aifords a continuous'record of one month without attendance. Y

The weaknesses of the system heretofore used embody the evaporation in the large ink well which must be left open, and requires normally about ten times the volume of ink which is actually applied to the paper. This evaporationresults in the ink continuously becoming thicker 4 until a state of approximate muddy condition'is reached. Tests have shown that clogging is liable to occur without definite time limit, but it practically always occurs Within one week. In addition, the ink well must always be washed in water before each refilling. Such washing is not always convenient on remote installation. The troubles of the-old system are overcome by my improved method. I 0 Another purpose of my invention is to render available for use the old mechanism herein referred to, to derive all the benefits therefrom and to eliminate the difiiculties as herein mentioned due to the evaporation, clogging, and otherwise, and to accomplish the various other advantages and results which will be apparent from the following speciflcation. I accomplish the objects of my improved method by mechanically applying to the paper upon which the record is to be made, coloring matter,v such as aniline dye, in such manner that such coloringmatter is hardly visibleto the naked eye. This application is conveniently and effectively made assuring a proper quantity for the purposes desired as follows: r

The. coloring matter, in pulverized form, is first sifted upon the. paper-insufficient quantity as to be clearly visible andto afford full coverage. The paper is then subjected, preferably on its reverse side to a slight tapping motion, or vigorously agitated or subjected to a blast ofair, whereupon, is dislodged the excess coloring matter; other than theinvisible portions thereof which-adhere to the 'surface of the paper by rea son of the force of attraction acting mutually between the paper and the particles of coloring matter tending to draw and hold them together.

The coloring matter may be applied to the surface oft-he paper in any one of various methods other than the one described and the paper may be passed through a rolling mill to provide greater adhesion, by which method, the coloring matter may be forced into the fibres of the paper and held more firmly thereon. Any of these methods will produce a prepared paper which answers the desired purpose without the addition of any other substance. A dye fixer such as tannic acid may be included in the coloring matter used if the records are desired to be water-proof. I have also demonstratedthat if the coloring matter is mixed with anadhesive such as powdered sugar, it further resists the tendency to rub off. A coating of starch or any other white powder over the surface of the prepared paper will cover any slight discoloring of the paper surface if any such discoloring should appear, or starch may be also included in the original coloring matter if desired, all to the same purpose and effect.

Any of themethods referredto will satisfactorily apply the coloring matter, which, under the microscope appears as so many isolated particles upon the surface of the paper. By actual count under the microscope there is approximately one particle, of the diameter of three to five one thousandths of an inch, applied to each square of paper of about one thirty-second inch. This small proportion of the totalarea covered does not produce visible discoloration.

' It will beseen that the results from the above application are to produce a sprinkling of minute lumps over the entire surface of the paper upon which the ink record is to be produced.

The paper prepared as above is now ready for the second step in the method. Such paper is conveniently rolled in strips of the size and shapes used on the mechanism above referred to and placed in position on the recording instrument with the pen point incontact, therewith, The chamber nominally known as theink well is then filled with a solvent liquid which may be water or any other solvent liquid without solid content. Alcohol or glycerine may optionally be added in sufiicient quantity to avoid freezing should occasion require. A syphon type of mechanism carriesthe solvent liquid from the reservoir into contact with the surfaceof the paper at the pen point as said paper moves along, and as the paper moves the solvent liquid is transferred to the paper so prepared whereupon it con tactswith the particles of coloring matter upon the surface of the paper, and literally manufac tures dye or ink from the particles along the line of the pens movement. The record produced appears exactly as if ink had been used in the ink well instead of they solvent liquid without solid content.

-My improved method will be well. understood from the detailed description herein, covering one mode of practising the same. It willbe realized, however, that the scope of the invention as defined by the claims hereto appended, is not lim ited to the particularmaterials or stepsfwhich have been chosen for illustrative purposes in this specification. j

Having thus describedmy improved method, I-claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States of America:

1. The method ofmaking a permanent ink record upon-a given surfaceby applying aniline dye with a fixing acid as a coloring matter to a surfaceupon which the record is to be made, re moving the excess portions of such coloring matter, and applying a solvent liquid without solid content to such portions of said surface at which said record is desired to be placed.

2. The method of making a permanent ink record upon a given surface by applying aniline dye as a coloring matter in powdered form to a surface upon which the record is to be made, removingv the excess portions of such coloring matter, and applying a. solvent liquid without solid content to such portions of said surface at which said record is desired to be placed.

3. The method of making a permanent ink record upon a given surface by applying aniline dye as a coloring matter to a surface upon which the record is to be made, removing the excess portions of such coloring matter and applying a solvent liquid without solid content to such portions of said surface at which said record is desired to be placed, said solvent liquid causing said coloring matter to be disintegrated and dissolved vand'later precipitated and deposited upon said surface by the evaporation of said liquid.

4. The method of making a permanent ink record upon a-given surface by applying aniline dye, in powdered form-to a surface upon which the record is to be made, subjecting the surface to-vibratory action for removing the excess portions of the powder, and applyinga solventliquid to such portions of said surface at which said record is desired to be placed.

5. The method of making a permanent ink record upon a given surface byapplying aniline dye as a coloring matter to one face only of a surface ,upon which the record is to be made, removing the v excess portions of such coloring matterv and applying a solvent liquid to such portions of said surface at which said-record is desired: to be placed, said solvent liquid causing said coloring matter to be disintegrated and dissolved and later precipitated and depositedupon said'surf ace by the evaporation ofsaid liquid.

ELSIE M. PRICE Ill) 

